Sealing assembly for tunnel construction sections

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sealing assembly consisting of at least: two abutting components and a sealing provile produced from an elastomeric material, which bridges the gap between the two components to form a seal; the components are configured in particular as sections which are assembled into a tubular tunnel thus forming transverse and longitudinal joints, and a sealing profile being located in turn in each recess, thus forming a cornered sealing framework; a lubricant for the contact surfaces between each component and the sealing profile, in particular for the contact surfaces between two sealing profiles. The inventive sealing assembly is characterised in that at least one sealing profile is provided with at least two protrusions in the vicinity of the contact surfaces. The protrusions form a sealed chamber, in which the lubricant is contained.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing assembly comprising at least the following:

[0002] Two abutting components made in particular of concrete or steel-reinforced concrete, as well as a sealing profile produced from an elastomeric material, which bridges the gap between the two components in a sealing manner, whereby

[0003] the components are configured in particular as tunnel segments which are assembled so as to form a tubular tunnel, thus forming transverse and longitudinal joints, whereby each segment is preferably provided on extending all around and covering all abutting sides of the segments, whereby a sealing profile is in turn located in each recess, forming a sealing framework with corners of the framework; and

[0004] a lubricant for the contact surfaces between the respective component and the sealing profile in particular for the contact surfaces between two sealing profiles (DE-A-198 26 482; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,309; WO-A-93/14297).

[0005] In connection with the construction of tunnels, which is specified as a special field of application in the present case, the contact surfaces of two abutting sealing profiles abut one another flatly in most cases. In order to improve the sliding property of the sealing profiles one on top of the other when the segments are installed, the contact surfaces are usually lubricated with a lubricant. Now, when the sealing profile is pushed in, it is compressed, whereby the lubricant is then capable of exiting from the contact surfaces sideways without any obstruction. The adhesive friction between the contact surfaces one on the other increases in this connection due to the growing force of compression and conditioned by the loss of lubricant.

[0006] Now, it is proposed in WO-A-93/14297 that the sealing profile be provided within the zone of the contact surfaces with an additional profile layer that is harder and lower in friction than the basic body of the profile. With reduction of the lubricant, or even with omission of the latter, if need be, the additional layer of the profile now assumes the actual sliding task. The drawback here is, however, that the elasticity of the sealing profile and thus the sealing capacity is influenced in a negative way.

[0007] Now, for the purpose of avoiding the problems specified above, the sealing assembly according to the characterizing part of claim 1 is characterized in that

[0008] at least one sealing profile is provided within the zone of the contact surfaces with at least two protrusions forming a sealed chamber in which the lubricant is contained.

[0009] Useful variations of the sealing assembly are cited in patent claims 2 to 7.

[0010] The invention is now explained onhand of embodiments by reference to schematic drawings. In the drawings,

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a sealing assembly of the type specified above;

[0012]FIG. 2 shows two abutting sealing profiles with the chambered lubricant.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows within the framework of the tunnel construction a sealing assembly 1 comprising the two abutting segments 2 and 3 made of concrete, with formation of a gap 4. Each of said segments is provided with a recess 5 and 6, respectively, in which a strand-shaped sealing profile 7 and, respectively, 8 made of elastomeric material is seated. The sealing profile usually has fluted grooves and channels, whereby reference is made to laid-open patent specification DE-A-198 26 482 with respect to details in that regard.

[0014] Due to the compression of the abutting segments 2 and 3 with reduction of the spacing of the gap 4, the two sealing profiles 7 and 8 then develop their sealing capacity due to the interaction between force and reactive force.

[0015] Now, the lubricant is located within the zone of the contact surfaces 9 in order to improve the sliding movement of the sealing profiles one on top of the other.

[0016] Now, for the purpose of preventing the lubricant from exiting from the contact surfaces sideways as it is being compressed, it is proposed according to the invention that at least one of the two sealing profiles 7 and 8 is provided with at least two protrusions that form a sealing chamber in which the lubricant is contained.

[0017] The concept according to the invention is now explained by the example of a sealing profile that is described in greater detail in patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,309.

[0018] According to FIG. 2, each sealing profile 10 and 11 has the two protrusions 12 which, in the zone of the common contact surface 13, form a sealed chamber in which the lubricant 14 preferably in the form of a lubricating paste is contained. As shown in the present case, the lubricant is chambered also when the sealing profiles are displaced. During the act of compression, said protrusions form a barrier which makes it more difficult for the lubricant to exit sideways, or prevents it from exiting sideways. The two sealing profiles are sliding on a cushion of lubricant. This effect can be additionally reinforced by means of the notches 15, which are preferably present in both sealing profiles. The notches serve in the present connection as reservoirs for the lubricant 14.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the lubricant 14 is a swelling lubricant paste. In addition to the sliding function, such a swelling lubricant paste has an additional sealing function in that the paste swells as a result of any reaction with water or moisture.

[0020] List of Reference Numerals

[0021]1 Sealing assembly

[0022]2 Component (tunnel segment) made of concrete

[0023]3 Component (tunnel segment) made of concrete

[0024]4 Gap

[0025]5 Recess

[0026]6 Recess

[0027]7 Sealing profile made of elastomeric material

[0028]8 Sealing profile made of elastomeric material

[0029]9 Contact surfaces between the two sealing profiles

[0030]10 Sealing profile made of elastomeric material

[0031]11 Sealing profile made of elastomeric material

[0032]12 Protrusion

[0033]13 Contact surfaces between the two sealing profiles

[0034]14 Lubricant

[0035]15 Notch 

1. A sealing assembly (1) at least comprising the following: Two abutting components (2, 3) as well as a sealing profile (7, 8, 10, 11) made of elastomeric material bridging the gap (4) between the two components in a sealing manner, whereby the components (2, 3) are in particular segments assembled to form a tubular tunnel, notably with formation of transverse and longitudinal joints, whereby each segment is provided on its abutting side preferably with at least one recess extending all around and covering all abutting sides of the segment, whereby a sealing profile (7, 8, 10, 11) is in turn located in each recess (5, 6), notably forming a sealing framework with frame corners; a lubricant (14) for the contact surfaces (9, 13) between the respective component and the sealing profile, in particular for the contact surfaces between two sealing profiles (7, 8, 10, 11); characterized in that at least one sealing profile (7, 8, 10, 11) is provided in the zone of the contact surfaces (9, 13) with at least two protrusions (12) forming a sealed chamber in which the lubricant (14) is contained.
 2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sealing profile (7, 8, 10, 11) comprises within the zone of the contact surfaces (9, 13) at least one notch serving as a reservoir for the lubricant (14).
 3. The sealing assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two notches (15), preferably two to four notches are present.
 4. The sealing assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that with two abutting sealing profiles (7, 8, 10, 11), each sealing profile is provided in the zone of the contact surfaces (9, 13) with at least one notch (15).
 5. The sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that with two abutting sealing profiles (7, 8, 10, 11), each sealing profile is provided in the zone of the contact surfaces (9, 13) with at least two protrusions (12).
 6. The sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lubricant (14) is a lubricating paste.
 7. The sealing assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the lubricant (14) is a swelling lubricating paste. 